Deportation: Air Peace passengers didn’t fulfil entry conditions, says Saudi Arabia
- ‘They submitted wrong information’
The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja on Wednesday disclosed that the visas of Air Peace passengers were cancelled because they did not fulfil the entry conditions of the Arab country.
In a statement, the Saudi embassy said the applicable rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia were not met as they submitted incorrect information.
On Monday, 264 passengers on Air Peace flight arrived in Jeddah after leaving Nigeria on Sunday but Saudi authorities cancelled their visas, ordering the airline to take them back to Nigeria.
However, 87 passengers were later allowed to remain in Saudi Arabia, while 177 passengers were flown back to Nigeria by Air Peace.
Clarifying the circumstances that led to the visa cancellation, the Saudi embassy said upon the passengers’ arrival in Jeddah, it was discovered that incorrect information was submitted to obtain a category of visa that doesn’t apply to them.
“The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja would like to make a clarification about the media reports and social media releases concerning the deportation of Nigerian citizens at the point of entry into the Kingdom.”
“The passengers who were denied entry and subsequently deported to their initial destinations didn’t fulfil the entry conditions and requirements in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Kingdom as they submitted incorrect information to obtain a category of visa that doesn’t apply to them, which was discovered upon their arrival”.
“The Royal Embassy would like to stress the importance of following the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors”.
The Embassy said the procedure was not limited to Nigerian citizens only but rather to citizens of other countries.
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